Published 4:02 am, Tuesday, May 8, 2018

With warmer weather comes more frequently sighted wild animals, as one farmer realized nearly two weeks ago when he had an audience of two coyotes while he planted soybeans.

Matt Fromme was planting soybeans as two coyotes watched him from 16 rows over, he said.

“I see them in the field all the time, but they were really close and they just sat there for close to an hour,” he said.

Fromme usually will see them from a distance and, while they may be curious about the farm equipment, they usually only stay in the area for five to 10 minutes, he said.

“They become used to the farm equipment, but still usually leave,” he said. “He just sat there, not alert, just relaxed.”

Fromme went about his business, leaving the coyotes to themselves, which is what the Illinois Department of Natural Resources recommends, especially during spring, when young animals begin making an appearance.

The department encourages people to view animals from afar, but to leave them be, said Ed Cross, an IDNR spokesperson.

It isn’t uncommon for people to bring wildlife into their homes because they believe an animal has been abandoned by its parent, Cross said, noting that an animal that appears to be abandoned often isn’t.

Instead, parents often will find a safe place to leave their babies while they go in search of food.

Or, the babies will appear to have been separated from their parents.

One of the most common occurrences is birds that have fallen from the nest.

Birds often will fall out of the nest as they attempt to fly and fail because they have not fully grown their flight feathers, Cross said.

“Usually, within a couple days, those feathers will grow in and the parents will continue to feed them while they are on the ground,” he said. “It doesn’t mean they are abandoned.”

The best thing to do if an animal actually is abandoned or injured is to call IDNR, which will have a conservation officer or biologist come out and evaluate the situation, Cross said. If needed, they can help the animal by taking it to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

It is possible to move animals that truly are in harms way, Cross said, but it is important to wear rubber or latex, non-scented gloves to avoid transferring any scent to an animal.

“If your scent gets on an animal, the parents will likely abandon it,” Cross said. “Folks have good intentions, but many times, they are doing more harm than good.”

Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1233, or on Twitter @JCNews_samantha.